TRUANCY in the borough is higher than the London and national averages for the third year in a row. The number of children persistently absent from school has fallen overall but Barking and Dagenham still has a higher rate than many other boroughs. Last y

TRUANCY in the borough is higher than the London and national averages for the third year in a row.

The number of children persistently absent from school has fallen overall but Barking and Dagenham still has a higher rate than many other boroughs.

Last year the percentage of pupils who did not attend classes often enough in both Primary and Secondary schools was 5.8 per cent.

This is an improvement on 2006/7 and 2005/6 where the percentage of children persistently absent from our schools was 6.9 and 7.6 per cent respectively.

However it is still well above the London average for last year which was five per cent and the national average of 5.6 per cent.

In the neighbouring boroughs of Havering, Newham and Redbridge the numbers of pupils who play truant are much lower.

Last year only 4.9 per cent of students in Havering were persistently absent from school while in Newham and Redbridge numbers were even lower - just 3.8 and 3.5 per cent respectively.

Cllr Jeanne Alexander said: "We work with identified schools in terms of analysis of data, whole school policy, rewards and sanctions, developing good practice between schools and liaising with other local authorities and schools.

"There is additional support to schools through two specialist officers and monthly Truancy patrols.

"We provide guidance documents to schools with regard to effective whole school policy and thresholds for intervention.